While some witnesses have said that the Lantana woman jumped after an argument with a man at the downtown tavern, others said she stepped over the security rail and said something to the effect of “look what I can do.” Brian Harris is contending that if the railing had been adequate, Harris wouldn’t have been able to fall. He is filing his Palm Beach County wrongful death complaint on behalf of her children, ages 7 and 10.

Roof Falls
Falls from roofs and building decks can cause serious injuries, including blunt force trauma, head trauma, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, organ damage, broken bones, crush injuries, and death. It is the responsibility of property owners to ensure that there are adequate safety measures in place to prevent fatal falls from a deck, balcony, or roof. If it isn’t safe for someone to be there, then any entrances to these areas should be secured so that no one can enter. Broken or defective railings, barricades that aren’t tall enough, roof patios that don’t meet building codes or are improperly maintained, or decks that are rotting or are suffering from structural problems, are just some reasons why falls from decks and roofs may happen. Roof and deck falls are not uncommon, and there is no reason for a premise owner not to know that this type of injury risk may exist.